The Journey Begins

Riley Whitelum and Elayna Carausu have transformed their passion for sailing into one of the most successful maritime content creation ventures on YouTube. The Australian couple launched their channel "Sailing La Vagabonde" in 2014, documenting their adventures aboard various sailing vessels as they navigate the world's oceans with their two children, Lenny and Darwin.^[1] What started as a documentation of their sailing journey has evolved into a comprehensive lifestyle brand. The couple initially met in Greece before embarking on their seafaring adventure, beginning their voyage aboard a Beneteau Cyclades sailboat.^[1] Their content captures the realities of family life at sea, combining breathtaking cinematography with authentic storytelling that resonates with audiences worldwide.

Platform Growth and Audience

Sailing La Vagabonde has achieved remarkable success across multiple platforms. As of 2025, their main YouTube channel boasts 1.95 million subscribers and has accumulated over 455 million total video views.^[4]^[7] The channel consistently ranks as the most popular sailing-focused YouTube channel globally, demonstrating the couple's ability to capture and maintain audience attention in a competitive digital landscape.^[1] Their content strategy includes publishing videos with an average length of 42.72 minutes, significantly longer than typical YouTube content, which speaks to their audience's engagement level.^[7] The channel maintains an impressive engagement rate of 5.16%, indicating strong viewer interaction and community building.^[7] Beyond YouTube, the couple has diversified their revenue streams through Patreon, where they maintain 4,670 paid subscribers, ranking them 72nd among video content creators on the platform.^[2] This subscription-based model provides them with stable income to support their sailing lifestyle and content production.

Notable Voyages and Global Recognition

The channel gained international attention in November 2019 when Whitelum and Carausu sailed climate activist Greta Thunberg across the Atlantic Ocean from Virginia to Lisbon aboard their catamaran La Vagabonde.^[1] This voyage was undertaken to help Thunberg reach the 2019 United Nations Climate Change Conference in Madrid while maintaining her commitment to avoiding air travel due to environmental concerns.^[5] The Atlantic crossing generated significant media coverage and demonstrated the couple's ability to participate in global conversations about environmental responsibility. The voyage covered 3,200 nautical miles and was documented through a series of videos that collectively garnered over 3.5 million views.^[5]^[6] Throughout their sailing career, Whitelum and Carausu have completed impressive nautical achievements, including four Atlantic Ocean crossings and one Pacific Ocean crossing, covering over 160,000 kilometers between 2014 and 2022.^[1]

Fleet Evolution and Technical Progression

The couple's vessel choices reflect their growing expertise and changing family needs. After starting with their initial Beneteau Cyclades sailboat, they upgraded to an Outremer catamaran, which they sailed from 2017 to 2022.^[1] Following the success of their channel, they negotiated a discounted price with Outremer for this vessel, demonstrating how their growing influence translated into practical benefits.^[1] In 2023, they launched their most ambitious vessel yet: a Rapido 60 trimaran, representing a significant upgrade in both size and capability.^[1] This progression showcases their evolution from sailing novices to experienced blue-water cruisers capable of handling sophisticated sailing technology.

Content Strategy and Monetization

Sailing La Vagabonde operates as a multi-platform business model that extends beyond traditional YouTube monetization. Their estimated monthly earnings from YouTube range between $5,200 and $15,600, based on their current viewership and engagement metrics.^[7] The channel uploads approximately 0.5 videos per week, maintaining a consistent but manageable content schedule that aligns with their sailing lifestyle.^[7] Recent video performance shows strong audience retention, with individual episodes regularly receiving hundreds of thousands of views within weeks of publication.^[3] Their content often features extended cuts and cinematic presentations, catering to viewers who appreciate in-depth documentation of sailing life rather than quick, superficial content. The couple has also established recognition within the broader yachting industry, being featured in lists of top social media influencers in the maritime sector alongside other prominent sailing content creators.^[6]

Industry Impact and Community Building

Beyond entertainment, Sailing La Vagabonde has contributed to ocean awareness and alternative lifestyle advocacy through their platform. Their content regularly addresses environmental themes and promotes sustainable living practices aboard sailing vessels.^[6] The couple's approach to family life at sea has also inspired other families to consider alternative living arrangements and travel methods. Their influence extends to inspiring other sailing content creators, with numerous similar channels emerging in their wake. The couple's success has helped establish sailing vlogs as a legitimate and popular content category on YouTube, demonstrating that niche interests can build substantial audiences when executed authentically and professionally. The channel continues to evolve as their children grow and their sailing expertise develops, maintaining relevance through genuine documentation of their ongoing maritime adventures and the challenges that come with raising a family while living aboard a sailing vessel.

The Journey Begins

Platform Growth and Audience

Notable Voyages and Global Recognition

Fleet Evolution and Technical Progression

Content Strategy and Monetization

Industry Impact and Community Building

References

Sailing La Vagabonde

Sailing La Vagabonde

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